Method and system for facilitating interaction between players on a golf course

ABSTRACT

A method and system are provided to facilitate interaction between players on a golf course. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention provides a mobile computing device, also called Personal Golf Game Assistant (PGGA). The PGGA is adapted to assist a player to track game-related data during a round of golf and establish communication with one or more compatible PGGAs carried by other players on the golf course. As various types of information data can be exchanged among the PGGAs of the players on the golf course, interaction between the players is thus facilitated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to computing technologies usedin golf games, and more particularly to methods and systems forfacilitating interaction between players on a golf course.

2. Description of the Related Art

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

As the popularity of golf continues to grow, an increasing number ofaccessory products associated with golf have also been commercialized.For example, various types of portable devices specifically designed toassist golfers are currently available. In general, these conventionalportable devices tend to only support rudimentary capabilities, such asfinding a golf ball and estimating distances on a golf course, but lackthe functionalities to analyze a round played. Furthermore, theseportable devices are typically designed and marketed with the soleemphasis on assisting a golfer to improve his or her game. However,especially for an amateur golfer, although shooting an improved scoremay be one motivation to play a round of golf on a course, the amateurgolfer may also be motivated to use the golf-playing opportunity toestablish social or business connections with others on the golf course.Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned portable devices on the marketis designed to address this social aspect of the golf game.

What is needed in the art is thus a method and system that canfacilitate interaction between players on a golf course and address atleast the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application describes a method and system for facilitatinginteraction between players on a golf course. Specifically, oneembodiment of the present invention sets forth a mobile computing deviceadapted to assist a first player in a round of golf on a golf course.The mobile computing device includes a processing unit, a memory system,a satellite-aided navigation module, and a short-range wireless modulecapable of detecting at least one instance of the mobile computingdevice in a given distance range. The processing unit is configured togenerate group data identifying at least a second player who is providedwith the one instance of the mobile computing device and plays on a samehole on the golf course as the first player.

In another embodiment, a system adapted to assist a first player in around of golf on a golf course is described. The system includes a hostcomputer installed on a site of the golf course and a mobile computingdevice adapted to exchange information with the host computer, whereinthe mobile computing device is provided to the first player on the golfcourse. The mobile computing device includes a processing unit, a memorysystem, a satellite-aided navigation module, and a short-range wirelessmodule capable of detecting at least one instance of the mobilecomputing device in a given distance range. The processing unit isconfigured to generate group data identifying at least a second playerwho is provided with the one instance of the mobile computing device andplays on a same hole on the golf course as the first player.

In yet another embodiment, a method for assisting a first player in around of golf on a golf course is disclosed. The method includesenabling a mobile computing device carried by the first player toexchange data with a host computer on a site of the golf course andautomatically exchanging information between the mobile computing deviceof the first player and at least one instance of the mobile computingdevice of a second player, wherein the first player and the secondplayer are deemed to belong to a same group since the first player andthe second player are determined to play on a same hole of the golfcourse.

At least one advantage of the present invention disclosed herein is theability to assist a golfer to track game-related data during a game ofgolf and interact with one or more compatible devices carried by otherplayers on the golf course. As various types of information data can beautomatically shared among the players on the golf course, interactionbetween the players is thus facilitated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentinvention can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a personal golf game assistantdevice (PGGA) according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple use configurationsof a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating examples of data contentstored in a PGGA according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows an example of personal data stored in a PGGA according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates other user-related data content descriptive of theuser's relationship that may be stored in a PGGA according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D illustrates an example of a hole map stored in a PGGA accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2E illustrates an example of game data sheet stored in a PGGA tomaintain collected game data according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2F illustrates an example of group data content stored in a PGGA totrack players belonging to a same group during a round according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operation steps performed by a PGGA accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a flowchart of method steps performed by a PGGA to form agroup of players according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a flowchart of method steps to establish a group of playerson a golf course according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4C is a flowchart of method steps to establish a group of playersaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of method steps performed to exchange informationdata between two instances of a PGGA according to one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of method steps performed by a PGGA to collectgame data according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a PGGA according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application describes a method and computer system forfacilitating interaction between players on a golf course. Morespecifically, one embodiment of the present invention provides a mobilecomputing device, also called Personal Golf Game Assistant (PGGA)herein. The PGGA is adapted to assist a golfer to track game-relateddata during a round of golf and establish communication with one or morecompatible PGGAs carried by other players on the golf course. Thecommunication enables various types of information data to be exchangedamong the PGGAs and thus facilitate the users of the PGGAs to interactwith one another.

FIG. 1A is a functional block diagram of a PGGA 100 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The PGGA 100 includes a processingunit 102, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 104, a short-rangewireless module 106, a memory system 108, a display device 116, and aninput device 118. The processing unit 102 is configured to control theoperations of the GPS module 104 and short-range wireless module 106,execute one or more software programs 112 stored in the memory system108, process data content 114 stored in the memory system 108, sendimage data to the display device 116, and receive user's inputs from theinput device 118.

Referring again to FIG. 1A, the GPS module 104 is operable to determinein real time the current location of a user carrying the PGGA 100. Morespecifically, through the GPS module 104, the PGGA 100 is able to locatethe user on a golf course in real time. While this embodiment employsthe GPS standard for the embedded navigation system, any availablesatellite-aided navigation standards may also be suitable.

The short-range wireless module 106, which may include a Bluetoothtransceiver, a two-way radio transceiver, or a combination of differenttransceivers, is configured to allow devices that are compatible withthe PGGA 100 and are within a short-distance range to exchangeinformation with one another. This short-range wireless module 106 mayalso be configured to detect the presence of one or more compatibledevices in the short-distance range. In one embodiment, theshort-distance range may be set to be within about 50 meters. However,the range of the wireless module 106 may also be changed to greater orsmaller distance ranges. Compatible devices detectable by theshort-range wireless module 106 for information exchange may comprise acomputer device, a communication device, and/or one or more compatiblePGGAs carried by other players on a golf course.

The display device 116 and the input device 118 allow the user tocontrol and provide input information to the PGGA 100. The displaydevice 116 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, organiclight-emitting device panel (OLED), touch panel, or the like. The inputdevice 118 includes multiple keys or buttons with attributed functionsfor controlling the PGGA 100.

The software programs 112 stored in the memory system 108 may include,without limitation, an operating system, driver programs, andapplication programs, which if executed by the processing unit 102,causes the processing unit 102 to manage the operations of the PGGA 100.The data content 114 includes various types of information data, whichmay have been preloaded before a round of golf begins, collected duringthe round, or received from other PGGAs. Examples of the data content114 will be described in more details below in conjunction with FIGS. 2Athrough 2F.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating multiple use configurationsof the PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Inone use configuration, each player 132 may be provided with one PGGA 100when playing on a golf course 130. In this case, each player 132 can usethe PGGA to visualize information about his/her current physicallocation provided by a GPS satellite 136 and keep track of game-relateddata in the PGGA. In addition, when two or more of the players 132 arelocated within a suitable distance range, their respective PGGAs canexchange certain information associated with the players 132. Suchexchanges can facilitate the social interactions between the players 132as the players play a round of golf.

In another use configuration, a site 140 of the golf course 130 (e.g.,the clubhouse of the golf course 130) may be provided with a kiosk 142adapted to interact with the PGGA of each player. The kiosk 142, whichmay include any computer terminal, is linked to a server computer (notshown) where various information is kept, such as data related toregistered players, map data of the golf course available for download,updated news information, commercial advertisements, and like data. Inone implementation, some portions of the information stored in theserver (such as the map data) may be browsed from the kiosk 142 and/ordownloaded from the kiosk 142 to the PGGA of a registered player. Inanother implementation, once a player completes a round, the player mayalso transfer certain game data collected by and stored in the PGGAduring the round to the kiosk 142 for further processing. Based on thegame data, the kiosk 142 may then compute and print out statistical datato help the player evaluate his or her performance (such as the totalnumber of holes played, the score for each hole, the farthest stroke,the player's handicap, and other like information) and upload theplayer's score or other information of interest onto a website forsharing purposes. Instead of interacting with the kiosk 142, alternateembodiments may also allow the player to perform one or more of theaforementioned functions supported by the kiosk 142 from home through asuitably configured personal computer device 146. In this manner,information stored in the PGGA may be conveniently processed and sharedamong groups of people having the same interest in golf.

As mentioned above, the PGGA 100 contains various types of informationdata useful to the user. To further illustrate, FIG. 2A is a schematicdiagram illustrating examples of the data content 114 stored in thememory system 108 of the PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. The data content 114 may include, without limitation,user personal data 210, a map database 212 containing maps of holes thatare played during a round, game data content 214 that keeps track ofinformation about the user's performance during a round, and group datacontent 216 for identifying players belonging to the same group.

FIGS. 2B and 2C show examples of the personal data content 210 accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. The personal data content210 may be initially preloaded in the PGGA 100 before a ground begins.Referring to FIG. 2B, in one embodiment, the personal data content 210may include user information data 222 associated with the user of thePGGA 100. The user information data 222 may include, without limitation,a user's name field USER'S_NAME, citizenship field USER_ID, gender fieldGENDER, age field AGE, contact information field CONTACT, and/or PGGAidentification number DEVICE_ID. One or more portions of the userinformation data 222 may be incorporated in a personal business cardthat can be exchanged with the PGGAs carried by other players at thesame golf course.

Referring to FIG. 2C, the personal data content 210 may also includerelationship data 232 for identifying certain people that haveconnection with the user of the PGGA 100. For each identified person,the relationship data 232 stores his/her name in a data field NAME, thetype of connection with the user in a data field CLASS, and one or moreconnections of the identified person in a data field RELATIONSHIP. Thedata field CLASS is set to “1^(st) level” to indicate that the user hashad a direct contact with the identified person, and to “2^(nd) level”to indicate that the user has no direct contact with that person. Thedata field CLASS may be updated from “1^(st) level” to “2^(nd) level”after direct contact occurs.

To further illustrate how the relationship data 232 are collected andupdated, suppose the user “John Woods” plays a round of golf with twoother players, “Will Stark” and “Mark Chen”. After the PGGA carried byJohn Woods detects the presence of the PGGAs carried by Will Stark andMark Chen, the PGGA of John Woods is configured to receive informationabout Will Stark and Mark Chen from their respective PGGAs. Therelationship data 232 in the PGGA of John Woods are accordingly updatedto store the names of Will Stark and Mark Chen in the data field NAMEand “1^(st) level” in the corresponding data field CLASS, since JohnWoods indeed has direct contact with the two players. Now, supposefurther that the PGGA of Will Stark contains the name of “Mike Campbell”as Will Stark's “1^(st) level” connection and the PGGA of Mark Chencontains the name of “Eric Jones” as Mark Chen's “1^(st) level”connection. In one implementation, “Mike Campbell” and “Eric Jones” willbe also stored in the data field NAME in the relationship data 232 inthe PGGA of John Woods, with the corresponding field CLASS set to“2^(nd) level,” as John Woods has no direct contact with either MikeCampbell or Eric Jones. In addition, in the data field RELATIONSHIP,“Will Stark” and “Mark Chen” are again stored, because Mike Campbell andEric Jones have direct contacts with Will Stark and Mark Chen,respectively. If John Woods has the chance to meet Mike Campbell or EricJones on a golf course at a later time, then the corresponding datafield CLASS may then be updated to “1^(st) level.” Moreover, John Woodscan also be informed that either Mike Campbell or Eric Jones shares acommon connection, namely, either Will Stark or Mark Chen. This way,through the use of the PGGA, John Woods can effectively build up anetwork of connections each time he plays golf.

While the exchange of the relationship data 232 is aimed to encouragesocial interactions during a ground of golf, in one implementation, thePGGA 100 is configured to allow any user who does not wish to share therelationship data 232 to selectively disable this share function. Inother words, if the PGGA 100 receives the relationship data 232 but withthe share function disabled, then the PGGA 100 is configured not todisplay any of the relationship data 232. In alternate embodiments, thePGGA 100 may be configured to display only portions of the relationshipdata 232 corresponding to the connections of the 1^(st) level. In thismanner, any relationship data associated with the individuals with whomthe user of the PGGA 100 lacks any direct contact is not displayed.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example of a hole map 240 that may be stored inthe map database 212. The hole map 240 contains descriptions of thefeatures and coordinate information that are associated with the hole.For example, the hole map 240 includes include features such as a teeingground 241, a putting green 243, a fairway 245, and various hazards suchas sand traps 247 and their associated coordinate information. During around of golf, when the user of the PGGA 100 plays the hole, the PGGA100 is able to detect the current physical location of the user inrelation to the hole map 240 and provide distance estimation between theuser's current physical location and certain points of interest on thehole map 240. For example, suppose the user is at a current location 251on the hole map 240. In one embodiment, estimated distances provided bythe PGGA 100 include the distances between the current location 251 anda front-of-green point 253 and a rear-of-green point 255 of the puttinggreen 243, respectively taken on a straight line that intersects thecurrent location 251 and a cup location 257. In this manner, the user ofthe PGGA 100 can judge with precision the distance to cover to reach theputting green 243. It should be noted that in one implementation, thehole map 240 is derived via from satellite or aerial images of theactual physical hole of a golf course.

During a round of golf, the PGGA 100 collects game data that can be usedto evaluate the player's performance. FIG. 2E illustrates an exemplarygame data sheet 260 used to collect game data according to an embodimentof the present invention. The game data sheet 260 includes a game datefield GAME_DATE and a data owner field USER'S_NAME that identifies thename of the player whose performance is tracked. Each stroke isidentified with a sequential stroke number in the data field STROKE. Foreach stroke, a set of information data is collected, including thelocation where the stroke is performed in the data field LOCATION, thetype of club used in the data field CLUB, the played hole number in thedata field HOLE, and the time the stroke is made in the data field TIME.Based on the collected game data, statistics data can then be computedto evaluate the player's performance during the round. In addition, someof the collected game data, e.g., the number of strokes for each hole,can be exchanged with other players during the round. Also, thecollected game data can be further processed, such as to generate anupdated score, before the exchanges occur.

FIG. 2F illustrates an example of group data content 216 of FIG. 2A thattracks identified players belonging to a same group during a round ofgolf according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the userof the PGGA 100 plays on a hole, the short-range wireless module 106 ofFIG. 1A detects compatible PGGAs of other players who are within thedetection range of the module. The information identifying these playerswho are deemed in the same group is stored in the group data content216, which may include the name of each identified player in the datafield GROUP_PLAYER and the name of the golf course where the presence ofthese players is detected. During the round of golf, information datacan be exchanged between the user of the PGGA 100 and each playeridentified in the group data content 216.

In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of operationsteps performed by the PGGA 100 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 302, the PGGA 100 displays a main menu on thedisplay device 116 as shown in FIG. 1A. The main menu includes variousoperation modes selectable by the user. In step 304, the PGGA 100detects whether one of the displayed operation modes, i.e. game mode, isselected by the user. If the game mode is not selected, the PGGA 100 instep 306 further examines whether another operation mode is selected. Ifno such operation mode is selected, then the PGGA 100 continues todisplay the main menu. Otherwise, the selected mode of operation isexecuted in step 308. Some examples of the operation modes that areexecuted in step 308 include, without limitation, a data uploadoperation to transfer information data between the PGGA 100 and acomputer device (such as kiosk 142) and a status verification operationto review navigation status associated with the operation status of theGPS module 104, various settings status supported by the PGGA 100, orgroup information status. After the selected mode in step 308 isexecuted, the PGGA 100 returns to step 302 to display the main menu.

If the user of the PGGA 100 selects the game mode in step 304, the PGGA100 in step 310 then starts a game session. In one embodiment, the gamesession starts after the user is physically on the golf course and readyto play the first hole. During the round, additional steps may beperformed on the PGGA 100. In step 312, the PGGA 100 proceeds toestablish a group of identified players with compatible PGGAs who areplaying on the same hole. In step 314, the PGGA 100 collects game datato track the performance of the user. In step 316, after the group ofplayers is established, the PGGA 100 exchanges data with one or moredetected group members. While the steps 312 through 316 have beenillustrated in a specific order, it is understood that these steps maybe performed in parallel or in different orders. In step 318, the PGGA100 checks whether the user decides to leave the game mode, which maycorrespond to the completion of the round. If so, the PGGA 100 returnsto step 302 to display the main menu. Otherwise, the game mode continuesand steps 312 through 316 are repeated.

In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 2F, FIG. 4A is a flowchart of methodsteps performed by the PGGA 100 to establish a group of players on agolf course according to one embodiment of the present invention. Instep 402, the PGGA 100 determines the user's presence in the teeingground of a hole via the GPS module 104. Consequently, in step 404, theshort-range wireless module 106 is activated to detect and record thepresence of other players provided with compatible PGGAs also in thesame teeing ground of the hole. These identified players will berecorded as potential candidates for forming a group with the user. Instep 406, the PGGA 100 then determines whether the user is on theputting green of the same hole. In step 408, the presence of otherplayers on the putting green is also detected through the short-rangewireless module 106. In step 410, the group data 216 are then generated,which includes the identified players whose presence has been detectedin the teeing ground and the putting green of the same hole. Usefulinformation data may then be shared among these detected players whobelong to the same group, as recorded in the group data content 216.

The foregoing embodiment illustrates a method of forming a group ofplayers in which the group data are confirmed after the players reach aputting green. In alternate embodiments, as illustrated below inconjunction with FIGS. 4B and 4C, the PGGA 100 may also be operable toform a group of players before reaching the putting green. FIG. 4B is aflowchart of method steps to establish a group of players on a golfcourse according to another embodiment of the present invention. In step422, the presence of a user of the PGGA 100 in the teeing ground of ahole is determined, via the GPS module 104. Consequently, in step 424,the short-range wireless module 106 is activated to detect and recordthe presence of other compatible PGGAs carried by other players also inthe same teeing ground of the hole. These identified players will berecorded as potential candidates for forming a group with the user.After leaving the teeing ground, the PGGA 100 in step 426 then proceedsto exchange handshakes with the PGGAs of players that are within adetection range of the PGGA 100 and track a number of successfulhandshakes associated with each detected PGGA. A handshake is a protocolin which two PGGAs mutually exchange certain signals for acknowledgingof their respective presence. In one implementation, each successfulhandshake between two PGGAs refers to one successful exchange of signalsbetween the two PGGAs. Players who are playing on a same hole thusshould have their respective number of successful handshakessignificantly increased in the course of the game. In step 428, thegroup data 216 are then generated, which include the identified playerswith substantial higher and substantially similar numbers of successfulhandshakes relative to other players played on the golf course.

FIG. 4C is a flowchart of method steps to establish a group of playersaccording to yet another embodiment of the present invention. In step432, the presence of a user of the PGGA 100 in the teeing ground of ahole is determined via the GPS module 104. Consequently, in step 434,the short-range wireless module 106 is activated to detect and recordthe presence of other compatible PGGAs carried by other players also inthe same teeing ground of the hole. These identified players will berecorded as potential candidates for forming a group with the user.After leaving the teeing ground, the PGGA 100 in step 436 then proceedsto exchange handshakes with the PGGAs of the identified players over apredetermined period of time and track of a number of successfulhandshakes associated with each detected PGGA. In step 438, the groupdata 216 are then generated, which include the identified players whosenumbers of successful handshakes have substantially increased or aresubstantially higher within the predetermined period of time relative toother players played on the golf course. Steps 436 and 438 may then becyclically repeated to timely update the group data 216 during thecourse of the game. This method allows players who may join in after thegame has started to be flexibly added to the group data.

In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 2F, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of methodsteps to exchange information data between two instances of the PGGA 100according to one embodiment of the present invention. In step 502, afirst PGGA is provided to a first player for use on a golf course. Instep 504, during a round of golf, the first PGGA may detect the presenceof a second player provided with a compatible second PGGA on the samegolf course. Consequently, in step 506, the first PGGA determineswhether the identity information associated with the detected secondplayer matches the group data content 216 stored in the first PGGA. Ifit is not the case, the first PGGA then returns to step 504. On theother hand, if the detected second player is found in the group datacontent 216, information exchange in step 508 can then be automaticallyinitiated between the first and second PGGA. In one embodiment,information shared between the two players can include business cards,updated game scores, and relationship data describing social connectionsof each player, such as relationship data 232 illustrated in FIG. 2C. Instep 510, the data content 114 on the first and second PGGAs may then beupdated based on the exchanged information data. In addition to gamescore updates, each PGGA may thus be able to also show whether there areany common connections to the first and second players based on theexchanged relationship data. In this manner, interaction between playerson the golf course is facilitated.

In still another embodiment, if the first player and the second playerare determined to belong to the same group, then the first PGGA and thesecond PGGA are configured to allow the two players to talk to oneanother via the wireless module 106, such as a two-way radiotransceiver, or exchange other types of multimedia data such as imagesor video clips.

In conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 2E, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of methodsteps performed by the PGGA 100 to collect game data in the game datasheet 260 according to one embodiment of the present invention. During around of golf, game data may be collected for each stroke made by theuser. More specifically, the collection of game data is initiated instep 602 when the PGGA 100 receives a user's input via the input device118 indicating that a stroke has been made. Consequently, in step 604,the PGGA 100 increments the stroke number, records the correspondingphysical location of the user on the golf course, the time at which thestroke is made, and the hole number. Optionally, in step 606, the PGGA100 may also record a club identification number entered by the user forthe stroke. Each club identification number corresponds to a particularclub, such as a 5-iron, the user of the PGGA 100 may use to play theround. In one implementation, the PGGA 100 may suggest a few clubs anddisplay the suggestions on the display device 116 for the user to choosefrom. In other words, instead of manually entering a club identificationnumber, the user can select from one of the suggested choices, and theclub identification number of the selected club is recorded. Steps 602through 606 can be repeated in manner discussed above for eachsuccessive stroke to accumulate game data in the PGGA 100. Based on thecollected game data, the player's performance can then be evaluated atthe end of the game of golf.

FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a PGGA 700 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The PGGA 700 has a size that can beeasily hand held. The PGGA 700 comprises a display screen 702, and aplurality of buttons 710, including a Menu button 712, cursordisplacement buttons 714, and a Sync button 716. The Menu button 712 isoperable to display a main menu on the display screen 702 including aplurality of operation modes for selection by the user. The cursordisplacement buttons 714 are operable by the user to navigate amongmultiple displayed items for selection. The Sync button 716 isconfigured to trigger data transfer between the PGGA 700 and a computerdevice, such as kiosk 142 or personal computer 146 shown in FIG. 1B.

Two additional buttons, i.e. Add/Remove buttons 718A and 718R, are alsoprovided. After a stroke is made, the user may press on the Add button718A to increment by one the stroke number and trigger game datacollection in the game data sheet 260 shown in FIG. 2E. The Removebutton 718R is configured to decrement by one the stroke number anddelete its associated data in the event the Add button 718A isinadvertently pressed.

As has been described above the method and system described herein arethus able to assist a golfer in tracking game-related data during around of golf and interacting one or more other golfers on the golfcourse. As various types of information data can be automatically sharedamong the players to promote social activities, interaction betweenplayers on the golf course is thus facilitated.

The above description illustrates various embodiments of the presentinvention along with examples of how aspects of the present inventionmay be implemented. The above examples, embodiments, instructionsemantics, and drawings should not be deemed to be the only embodiments,and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

1. A mobile computing device adapted to assist a first player in a roundof golf on a golf course, the mobile computing device comprises: aprocessing unit; a memory system; a satellite-aided navigation module;and a short-range wireless module capable of detecting at least oneinstance of the mobile computing device in a given distance range,wherein the processing unit is configured to generate group dataidentifying at least a second player who is provided with the oneinstance of the mobile computing device and plays on a same hole on thegolf course as the first player.
 2. The mobile computing device of claim1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to includeinformation associated with the second player in the group data if thefirst player and the second player are present in a teeing ground andsubsequently in a putting green of the same hole.
 3. The mobilecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is furtherconfigured to include information associated with the second player inthe group data if a substantial number of successful handshakes areachieved between the instances of the mobile computing device carried bythe first player and the second player.
 4. The mobile computing deviceof claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured to causeinformation exchange between the instances of the mobile computingdevices carried by the first player and the second player, who areidentified in the group data, via a wireless connection.
 5. The mobilecomputing device of claim 4, wherein the information exchanged comprisespersonal information data of the first player and the second player. 6.The mobile computing device of claim 4, wherein the informationexchanged comprises relationship data associated with the first playerand the second player.
 7. The mobile computing device of claim 4,wherein the information exchanged comprises game-related data associatedwith the first player and the second player.
 8. The mobile computingdevice of claim 1, wherein the processing unit is further configured tocollect game-related data during the round of golf.
 9. The mobilecomputing device of claim 8, wherein the game-related data comprise anumber of strokes, a physical location on the golf course where eachstroke is made, and a type of club selected for each stroke.
 10. Themobile computing device of claim 1, wherein the processing unit isfurther configured to cause transfer of data between the mobilecomputing device and a host computer so that post-round processing ofthe data can take place.
 11. The mobile computing device of claim 1,wherein the processing unit is further configured to allow the firstplayer to talk to the second player via a radio communication sessionsupported by the instances of the mobile computing devices after thefirst player and the second player are identified in the group data. 12.A system adapted to assist a first player in a round of golf on a golfcourse, the system comprises: a host computer; and a mobile computingdevice adapted to exchange information with the host computer, whereinthe mobile computing device is provided to the first player andcomprises: a processing unit; a memory system; a satellite-aidednavigation module; and a short-range wireless module capable ofdetecting at least one instance of the mobile computing device in agiven distance range, wherein the processing unit is configured togenerate group data identifying at least a second player who is providedwith the one instance of the mobile computing device and plays on a samehole of the golf course as the first player.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the processing unit is further configured to include informationassociated with the second player in the group data if the first playerand the second player are present in a teeing ground and subsequently ina putting green of the same hole.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinthe processing unit is further configured to include informationassociated with the second player in the group data if a substantialnumber of successful handshakes are achieved between the instances ofthe mobile computing device carried by the first player and the secondplayer.
 15. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unit isfurther configured to cause information exchange between the instancesof the mobile computing devices carried by the first player and thesecond player, who are identified in the group data, via a wirelessconnection.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the informationexchanged comprises personal information data of the first player andthe second player.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the informationexchanged comprises relationship data associated with the first playerand the second player.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein theinformation exchanged comprises game-related data associated with thefirst player and the second player.
 19. The system of claim 12, whereinthe processing unit is further configured to collect game-related dataduring the round of golf.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein thegame-related data comprise a number of strokes, a physical location onthe golf course where each stroke is made, and a type of club selectedfor each stroke.
 21. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing unitis further configured to cause transfer of data between the mobilecomputing device and a host computer so that post-round processing ofthe data can take place.
 22. A method for assisting a first player in around of golf on a golf course, comprising: enabling a mobile computingdevice carried by the first player to exchange data with a hostcomputer; and exchanging information between the mobile computing deviceof the first player and at least one instance of the mobile computingdevice of a second player via a wireless connection, wherein the firstplayer and the second player are deemed to belong to a same group sincethe first player and the second player are determined to play on a samehole of the golf course.